Stanley Clarke: If This Bass Could Only Talk (1988)

This was bassist Stanley Clarke's twelfth solo set, and one of his very few that would be recommended to jazz (as opposed to funk and R&B) listeners. On the instrumental set, Clarke's bass is featured in a wide variety of settings, including duets with tap dancer Gregory Hines and drummer John Robinson, a quartet with Wayne Shorter ("Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"), in a power trio with guitarist Allan Holdsworth and drummer Stewart Copeland, a piece with George Duke (on acoustic piano for a change) and soprano saxophonist George Howard, a quartet with the synthesizers of Steve Hunt, and "Funny How Time Flies," which has a colorful Freddie Hubbard trumpet solo. Throughout, Clarke's bass has plenty of solo space, and he shows how strong a player he can be when given decent material. - Scott Yanow (AMG)

Tracklist:
1  If This Bass Could Only Talk - Clarke 2:30
2  Goodbye Pork Pie Hat - Mingus 6:25
3  I Wanna Play for You - Clarke 3:27
4  Stories to Tell - Clarke 3:47
5  Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun) - Harris, Jackson, Lewis 6:05
6  Workin' Man - Clarke 6:26
7  Tradition - Clarke 7:11
8  Come Take My Hand - Clarke 4:09
9  Bassically Taps - Clarke 3:15
If This Bass Could Talk
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Terence Blanchard: The Heart Speaks (1996)

Although trumpeter Terence Blanchard gets first billing on this recording, it is very much a joint effort with singer-composer Ivan Lins. Not only are all 13 songs by Lins but he sings on all but the three instrumentals although sometimes just wordlessly in the background. Blanchard often harmonizes with Lins' voice, creating a melancholy and dreamy atmosphere. Most selections feature Blanchard's regular rhythm section of the time, augmented by Paulinho Da Costa's percussion and occasionally Oscar Castro-Neves' acoustic guitar. This CD, which is full of haunting ballads along with a few more jubilant numbers, serves as a superior introduction to Lins' music for jazz fans who might only be familiar with his "Love Dance." -- AMG

Tracklist:
01.Aparecida
02.Antes Que Seja Tarde
03.Meu Pais (My Country)
04.Valsa Mineira
05.The Heart Speaks
06.Congada Blues
07.Nocturna
08.Just For Nana
09.Orizimbo And Rosicler
10.Choros Das Aguas
11.Love Dance,Comecar De Novo
12.Menino
13.Aparecida Reprise
Personnel:
Terence Blanchard — Trumpet, Cello Arrangement
David Bolaavrich — Cello
Oscar Castro-Neves — Guitar
Paulinho Da Costa — Percussion
Troy Davis — Drums
Ivan Lins — Piano, Vocals
David Pulphus — Bass
Edward Simon — Piano
Fred Totkin — Cello
Frederick Zlotkin — Cello
Heart Speaks
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Yellowjackets: The Best Of (1999)

The Yellowjackets began their recording career on the Warner Brothers label in 1981, recording three albums before moving to GRP where the band found commercial success during a ten-year stay. In 1995, they returned to the Warner fold to produce some of their best, maturest music. Dreamland, Blue Hats, and Club Nocturne found the band presenting contemporary jazz music of the highest caliber. However, this music had too much depth to qualify for the smooth jazz radio playlists of the late 1990s. As the year 2000 dawned, Warner released this fine compilation of Yellowjackets' work for that label. It's an interesting musical document which shows the beginnings of the band in their original incarnation with L.A. Express guitar alumnus Robben Ford, and later finding their voice after his departure. Then there's a ten-year quantum leap to the unmatched musical sophistication of the latter trio of classy recordings with Bob Mintzer in the sax chair. The producer's choice not to arrange the tracks in chronological order is probably a smart one from a listening standpoint. Still there's quite a juxtaposition between the rich complexities of the opening "New Rochelle" and "Spirit of the West," and the pop-styled '80s fusion/funk of "Daddy's Gonna Miss You" and "Matinee Idol" that follow. The pleasures of both eras cannot be denied, however, and this disc is rewarding from start to finish. "The Chosen" and "Summer Song" from Dreamland remain superb, and Kurt Elling's vocal on Mintzer's "Up From New Orleans is a classic awaiting discovery. Samurai Samba's "Homecoming" should be familiar, and the previously unreleased "Theme From Il Postino" provides a reason for the Yellowjackets completist to own this disc. Taken with Collection from the GRP era, The Best of Yellowjackets gives a tiny glimpse at the music of this excellent group, priming the pump for further exploration of their recorded legacy. ~ Jim Newsom

Personnel: Bobby McFerrin (vocals, percussion); Robben Ford, Carlos Rios (guitar); Bob Mintzer (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Marc Russo (alto saxophone); Ernie Watts (tenor saxophone); Russell Ferrante (keyboards); Ricky Lawson, William Kennedy (drums); Lenny Castro, Luis Conte, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Rory Kaplan (programming)

Tracklist:
01. New Rochelle
02. Spirit Of The West
03. Daddy's Gonna Miss You
04. Matinee Idol
05. The Chosen
06. Homecoming
07. Imperial Strut
08. Claire's Song
09. Top Secret
10. Up From New Orleans
11. Summer Song
12. Theme From Il Postino
Buy at CD Universe
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George Duke: Illusions (1995)

George Duke is truly a music virtuoso. From his many contributions as a producer, arranger, writer, musician, and singer, the California native has laid down one grand effort after another. On this album, first and foremost, Duke utilizes this vast platform to express his musical passions. And in his own ingenious way, he voices his indiscreet discernment on the many virtues and vices of society. This set is eclectic, and at times, audaciously eccentric. Of the 13 selections, four are instrumentals and several are tinted with a sweet R&B coating. However, every number is seasoned with Duke's indelible jazzy melodies and interludes. The Synclavier-toting keyboardist is supported by an outstanding cast of performers, which includes the Emotions, Marvin Winans, Stanley Clarke, James Ingram, and Dianne Reeves, to name a few.

Tracklist:

1 Genesis - Duke 1:34

2 500 Miles to Go - Duke 5:00
3 411 - Duke 5:10
4 Love Can Be So Cold - Duke 5:42
5 Illusions Duke - 5:00
6 The Simple Things Duke - 5:16
7 Life and Times Duke - 6:07
8 Look What We Started Now Duke - 5:55
9 C'Est la Vie - Duke, Rudolph, Sembello 4:51
10 Buffalo Soldiers - Duke 4:50
11 Money - Duke 5:16
12 No Greater Love - Duke 4:46
13 So I'll Pretend - Duke 7:25
Illusions
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David Sanborn: As We Speak (1982)

It was about this time in his career that one sensed David Sanborn was getting a bit tired of the formula he was using on his records. However, his great popularity kept him from changing direction much. As usual, the highly influential altoist blows his heart out over a lot of funky rhythms on As We Speak, but surprisingly, he switches to his less notable soprano on four of the nine tunes. Bassist Marcus Miller is a key force in the background, leading the expanded rhythm sections through some pop-oriented material that is appealing but not too substantial. ~ Scott Yanow

Tracklist:
01. Port Of Call 04:28
02. Better Believe It 03:31
03. Rush Hour 04:43
04. Over And Over 04:12
05. Back Again 03:52
06. As We Speak 04:17
07. Straight To The Heart 03:26
08. Rain On Christmas 04:47
09. Love Will Come Some Day 06:17

Personnel: David Sanborn (soprano & alto saxophones); Michael Sembello (vocals, guitar); Bill Evans (saxophone); Robert A. Martin (French horn); Bob Mintzer (bass clarinet); Spike (IRT strings, synthesizer); James "Sugar Bear" Skelton (Hammond B-3 organ); George Duke (Clavinet); Don Freeman (keyboards, synthesizer); Marcus Miller (synthesizer, bass); Lance Ong (synthesizer); Buzz Feiten (guitar); Omar Hakim (drums, tambourine); Malando Gassama, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Cruz Baca Sembello (background vocals).

As We Speak
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George Duke: Thief in the Night (1985)

George Duke: Here are some great musicians on the record. Steve Ferrone did the majority of the drumming (aside from the Synclavier drums); Paul Jackson on guitar, Paulinho Da Costa on percussion; and Louis Johnson on bass.I had some valid musical ideas, but they just couldn't be sustained by my vocal ability. In other words, in general the material is good, but I should have used other lead vocalists whose voice and vocal ability fit the songs better.

Tracklist:
01. I Surrender
02. Thief In The Night
03. Remembering The Sixties
04. We're Supposed To Haven Fun
05. Ride
06. Love Mission
07. Jam
08. Why
09. La La
Personnal:
George Duke - Rhodes,Synclavier II,acoustic piano,vocals,Yamaha PF15
Louis Johnson - bass
Paul Jackson,Jr. - guitar
Steve Ferrone - drums
Paulinho Da Costa - percussion,background vocals
Lynn Davis - background vocals
Lena Sunday - background vocals
Ricky Lawson - hi hat,cymbals
Alice Murrell - background vocals
Carl Carlwell - background vocals
Robert Brookins - background vocals
John Robinson - drums
Jon Fiore - lead vocals,background vocals
Howard Hewett - background vocals
Deniece Williams - background vocals
Chuck Gentry - guitar
Thief in the Night
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Bob James & David Sanborn: Double Vision (1986)

David Sanborn's saxophone complements Bob James' keyboards perfectly on the appropriately titled DOUBLE VISION. Sanborn, James, and bassist Marcus Miller all contribute compositions, and the listener encounters a wonderful variety of musical styles throughout the album's seven tracks. DOUBLE VISION opens on its highest note with Miller's "Maputo," a lush and moody song that highlights Sanborn's skills and sets the pace for the rest of the recording.

Miller also penned the romantic "More than Friends". James and Sanborn join compositional forces on "Moon Tune" and "Never Enough." Sanborn contributes the popular "It's You," a tune that features James prominently. "Maputo" may be the DOUBLE VISION's instrumental highlight, but Al Jarreau's vocal on "Since I Fell for You" is the album's romantic peak. This 1986 collaboration ranks top among contemporary jazz albums.

Tracklist
01. Maputo
02. More Than Friends
03. Moon Tune
04. Since I Fell For You
05. It's You
06. Never Enough
07. You Don't Know Me
Personnel
Bob James - keyboards
David Sanborn - alto saxophone
Al Jarreau - vocal on track 4
Paul Milton Jackson, Jr. - guitar
Paulinho Da Costa - percussion
Marcus Miller - bass
Steve Gadd - drums
Eric Gale - guitar
Double Vision
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